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S Africa to cut aid to Zimbabwe | S Africa to cut aid to Zimbabwe |
(about 3 hours later) | |
South Africa's cabinet says it will withhold $28m of agricultural aid to neighbouring Zimbabwe until a representative government is in place. | South Africa's cabinet says it will withhold $28m of agricultural aid to neighbouring Zimbabwe until a representative government is in place. |
South Africa's cabinet said the impasse was creating a humanitarian crisis. | South Africa's cabinet said the impasse was creating a humanitarian crisis. |
The current outbreak of cholera was a clear indication that Zimbabweans were becoming "victims of their leaders' lack of political will", it said. | The current outbreak of cholera was a clear indication that Zimbabweans were becoming "victims of their leaders' lack of political will", it said. |
The US ambassador to Zimbabwe has said that 294 people have died from the cholera outbreak. | |
Ambassador James McGee also said that President Robert Mugabe's grip on power "may be actually stronger than it was this time last year. | |
"Mugabe continues to hang on to power through the political patronage system," he said. | |
The South African cabinet's strongly worded statement said: | The South African cabinet's strongly worded statement said: |
"No amount of political disagreement can ever justify the suffering that ordinary Zimbabweans are being subjected to at the moment." | "No amount of political disagreement can ever justify the suffering that ordinary Zimbabweans are being subjected to at the moment." |
Correspondents say this is the first indication that South Africa is taking a tougher stance on Zimbabwe. Food shortages, a lack of seed and fertiliser for planting and the breakdown in health services are all having a serious effect on the people Former UN head Kofi Annan class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7740075.stm">SA cabinet statement on Zimbabwe class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7726977.stm">Harare diary: New abductions class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7714892.stm">Death throes of Harare's hospitals | |
Former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki, who negotiated September's power-sharing agreement between the ruling Zanu-PF and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was an advocate of quiet diplomacy. | Former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki, who negotiated September's power-sharing agreement between the ruling Zanu-PF and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was an advocate of quiet diplomacy. |
But two months later, several rounds of talks on allocating ministerial posts have failed and aid groups say Zimbabwe is facing a major humanitarian crisis. | But two months later, several rounds of talks on allocating ministerial posts have failed and aid groups say Zimbabwe is facing a major humanitarian crisis. |
They expect that more than five million people, or nearly half the population, will need food aid by early next year. | They expect that more than five million people, or nearly half the population, will need food aid by early next year. |
The economy is in freefall, with inflation last listed in July, at 231,000,000%. | The economy is in freefall, with inflation last listed in July, at 231,000,000%. |
The health services are in a state of collapse, exacerbating the effects of the cholera outbreak, which the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says appears to have spread to South Africa. | The health services are in a state of collapse, exacerbating the effects of the cholera outbreak, which the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says appears to have spread to South Africa. |
Three people are reported to have died in the town of Musina close to the border with Zimbabwe and more than 70 people there are receiving treatment, he says. | Three people are reported to have died in the town of Musina close to the border with Zimbabwe and more than 70 people there are receiving treatment, he says. |
Elders to visit | |
The South African cabinet statement also said it would send assistance to help Zimbabwe deal with the cholera outbreak. | The South African cabinet statement also said it would send assistance to help Zimbabwe deal with the cholera outbreak. |
The agricultural aid will be dispersed in time for the April 2009 planting season, it said. | The agricultural aid will be dispersed in time for the April 2009 planting season, it said. |
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's state-owned Herald newspaper reports that more talks will be held on forming a power-sharing government next week between Zanu-PF and the MDC in South Africa. | Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's state-owned Herald newspaper reports that more talks will be held on forming a power-sharing government next week between Zanu-PF and the MDC in South Africa. |
Zimbabwe's government has denied a report that it was blocking a visit from former UN head Kofi Annan, former US President Jimmy Carter and human rights activist Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel. | Zimbabwe's government has denied a report that it was blocking a visit from former UN head Kofi Annan, former US President Jimmy Carter and human rights activist Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel. |
The three international figures are part of a group called the Elders, set up to tackle world conflicts. | The three international figures are part of a group called the Elders, set up to tackle world conflicts. |
Robert Mugabe wants Zanu-PF to retain key ministriesIn a statement, the Elders said they would visit the region on Friday "to make a first hand assessment of the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe". | Robert Mugabe wants Zanu-PF to retain key ministriesIn a statement, the Elders said they would visit the region on Friday "to make a first hand assessment of the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe". |
"The purpose of our visit is to meet those working on the ground to better assess the extent of the crisis and how assistance can be improved," Mr Annan said. | "The purpose of our visit is to meet those working on the ground to better assess the extent of the crisis and how assistance can be improved," Mr Annan said. |
"Food shortages, a lack of seed and fertiliser for planting and the breakdown in health services are all having a serious effect on the people. | "Food shortages, a lack of seed and fertiliser for planting and the breakdown in health services are all having a serious effect on the people. |
"We understand that the situation requires an urgent response and that delays will only prolong the people's suffering." | "We understand that the situation requires an urgent response and that delays will only prolong the people's suffering." |
The Herald, seen as a mouthpiece for President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, had reported a government official as saying the planned mission was biased. | The Herald, seen as a mouthpiece for President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, had reported a government official as saying the planned mission was biased. |
Mr Annan said they had no intention of becoming involved in the ongoing political negotiations. | Mr Annan said they had no intention of becoming involved in the ongoing political negotiations. |
The power-sharing deadlock follows disputed presidential elections earlier this year. | The power-sharing deadlock follows disputed presidential elections earlier this year. |
Mr Tsvangirai won the first round in March, but not by enough to secure outright victory. | Mr Tsvangirai won the first round in March, but not by enough to secure outright victory. |
He then pulled out of a run-off in June, citing a campaign of violence against his supporters. | He then pulled out of a run-off in June, citing a campaign of violence against his supporters. |